Replace a Flat Tire

Step 1

Assess the situation. Make sure that you are off the road (as much as possible), and that your car is in relatively flat and safe location. If your car is in an unstable spot, is on an angle (in a ditch or on a hill), or otherwise seems unsafe, do not proceed.

Step 2

Remove the tire iron, car jack, and spare tire from your car. On most cars this is located in the trunk, but on some vehicles, it may be under the car. Be sure to know where your tire and jack are before you need them!

Step 3

Place the jack under your car, in the location identified on the jack or in your owner's manual. This usually either right in front of the rear tire, or right behind your front tire, and slightly in from the side of your car. Make sure that you are putting your jack under a sturdy part of the car.

Step 4

Break the tension of your lug nuts (the bolts on your tire) before you raise your car. This can be done by hand, or, if you are not that strong, by placing one foot on the tire iron and pushing down with your foot/leg. Many women need to use their foot to loosen lug nuts, so don't be ashamed if this is what you have to do.

Step 5

Once all of your lug nuts have been "broken" (the distinctive snap feel as they begin to loosen), you can safely raise your car using your jack. Do this by inserting the arm into the hole and pumping it up and down. A fewcars, but not many, are equipped with a motorized jack that simply requires the press of a button. If you are not sure how to operate your jack, refer to the directions on it or to the directions in your owner's manual.

Step 6

Once the car has been raised enough that the tire is no longer on the ground, remove the lug nuts and set them in a safe location so you do not lose them. Generally, it is a good idea to remove the lug nuts in a specified pattern. For cars with 5 lug nuts, remove every other nut as you go around a circle. If your car has 6 lug nuts, remove the nuts opposite of each other in a clockwise direction. This prevents the tire from becoming unbalanced and putting extra pressure on the remaining lug nuts and studs (the bolts that go through the tire's rim).

Step 7

Remove the tire (caution, it will be heavy) and replace it with the spare. Be aware of specific positioning as you remove the tire, as some cars have an uneven spacing of their studs (Oldsmobile in particular) that makes replacing the tire difficult. Begin replacing the lug nuts in the same pattern as you removed them. Screw all lug nuts on by hand before tightening any of them. Tighten lug nuts before lowering your car.

Step 8

Lower the tire by releasing the jack slowly. Releasing too fast can cause the car to bounce or the tire to hit the ground unevenly. Remove the jack, and tighten the lug nuts once more. Remember to use your foot, in the reverse direction, to ensure that lug nuts are as tight as possible.

Step 9

Place the tire, jack, and tire iron in your trunk, and make sure that you have not left anything else laying out. Clean your hands as much as possible with the rag, and return to your car.

If you are unsure of your abilities, or would just feel reassured by a second opinion, be sure to have someone more qualified inspect your work at a later time.